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Theater Talk: Peter Palmisano's ambitious "A History of Buffalo Theatre" podcast, part of his "OFF ROAD" series

Off Road Logo from RoadLessTraveledProductions.org
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Off Road Logo from RoadLessTraveledProductions.org

Road Less Traveled Productions has been offering a series (19 to date) of podcasts entitled OFF ROAD WITH PETER PALMISANO. They all feature popular Buffalo actor Peter Palmisano in conversation with various movers and shakers in the arts community (not just theater). While there are conversations with actors such as Stephen McKinley Henderson whom we see on stage and screen, there are many, many more conversations with those who create the magic.

There are directors such as Victoria Pérez, choreographers such as Lynne Kurdziel-Formato, playwrights such as Donna Hoke and Gary Earl Ross, puppeteer Adam Kreutinger, film-maker George Pittas, editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis, set designer Dyan Burlingame, and many artistic directors including Mary Kate O'Connell, Loraine O'Donnell, and JoAnn Falletta.

And, at the same location, you can find, after a pandemic's worth of months of research and multiple (almost 200) conversations, Palmisano's "A History of Buffalo Theatre," eight OFF ROAD episodes discussing Buffalo’s rich theater background, beginning with the early 1800s with "the skeleton" of the final episode which will bring us to 2021. That's this week's topic of our podcast "Theater Talk with Anthony Chase and Peter Hall."

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK
Anthony Chase
The three actors in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK who play Puck: Phil Wackerfuss, Melinda Capeles, and Dan Torres

Anthony writes about Shakespeare in Delaware Park's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK in his post "A Shakespearean Tour of Delaware Park" on his blog as follows:

"It's a sure sign of summer in Buffalo. Shakespeare in Delaware Park has returned with a charming walk through the park. Patrons visit various locations to see abridged scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The production, expertly directed by Kyle LoConti, features some exciting young talent and some seasoned Shakespeare veterans. The performances are excellent and the stroll through glorious Delaware Park is marvelous! A pandemic might have inspired this departure from the usual fully staged production, but this edition of Shakespeare in Delaware Park will become a cherished memory for everyone who sees it."

Anthony also posts good photos in his story "MusicalFare returns with 'Love, Linda' - A showcase for the talent and charisma of Debbie Pappas."

He writes: "'Love, Linda: the Life of Mrs. Cole Porter' is a monologue with songs in which Linda Lee Thomas-Porter describes her complex relationship with one of the greatest American song-writers of the 20th century. It was thrilling to be back in the darkened MusicalFare theater -- albeit after displaying my NYS Excelsior pass, confirming my vaccination status, and with the chair beside me marked off with masking tape."

You can read his review of LOVE, LINDA in The Buffalo News here.

The Alleyway Theatre's BUFFALO QUICKIES continues to present their an annual festival of short plays. It's running through July 10. Read Anthony's review here

and read Peter's review here.

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
Even though "semi-retired," Peter Hall continues to wear many hats. He is the Sunday afternoon host on WBFO’s “sister station,” WNED Classical where he has produced over 1,000 radio interviews with musical artists. If you see him at a theater with a pen in his hand, he’s probably getting ready to co-host “Theater Talk” with Anthony Chase (heard Friday mornings at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on WBFO) or to write a review for www.buffalorising.com. He is also a member of the "Artie Awards" committee (think “Tony Awards for Buffalo theaters”).
Latest Episodes
  • On 9/18 at 4 pm Buffalo-born award-winning stage and screen actress Roslyn Ruff will get a star in the Buffalo Theatre District as a kickoff event for the 40th anniversary of Curtain Up!, the annual start of the theater season. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Anthony and Peter sat down with Marc Summers for an extended conversation with Nickelodeon's "Double Dare" star, but how did he start his career? Listen and find out. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Curtain Up! may seem far away (Friday, September 22, 2023) but, local theater companies including Buffalo United Artists, MusicalFare, Paul Robeson, Kavinoky, Alleyway, Second Generation + Ujima + Shea's 710, Bellissima Productions, and Road Less Traveled Productions all have shows opening between September 1 and September 14. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Local theater companies Buffalo United Artists, MusicalFare, Paul Robeson, Kavinoky, Alleyway, Second Generation + Ujima + Shea's 710, and Road Less Traveled Productions all have shows opening between September 1 and September 14. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • This week Anthony and Peter talk about: Anthony's show with two matinees (2pm) at the Jewish Repertory Theatre; the new theater space at Canterbury Woods in Amherst; Tom Stoppard's punny and funny ON THE RAZZLE at Shawfest, and the role of Artistic Directors such as Keelie Sheridan starting at the Irish Classical Theatre Company as well as Katie Mallinson at The Kavinoky (listen to last week's show); and Verniece Turner who is taking a leadership role at The Paul Robeson Theatre. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Anthony and Peter speak with Katie Mallinson who will be the new Executive Artistic Director for the Kavinoky Theatre. Two-time Artie Award winner, Harvard graduate, she is respected and loved throughout the Buffalo Theater community. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Anthony and Peter talk about ROMEO AND JULIET at Shakespeare in Delaware Park as well as THE APPLE CART at the Shawfest and remind all that this is that last weekend for TWELFTH NIGHT, the musical, at MusicalFare. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • A conversation with Donna Hoke about her play THE WAY IT IS tonight at the Alleyway Theatre (for FREE) part of the Buffalo Infringement Festival. The play then picks up again next week through August 6. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Anthony and Peter saw THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at Shaw, and Peter went to THE MUSIC MAN in Lockport. CARMINA BURANA coming to Artpark and THE WAY IT IS coming to Alleyway. Also noted, the demise of opera and theater at The Chautauqua Institution. For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Recent op-ed pieces in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and NPR ask the question "Is theater in free fall?" but Anthony says that while some of the high profile theaters such as the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. or Long Wharf in New Haven might be struggling with high overhead costs, here in Buffalo things seem to be good. And the sold-out run of CHICAGO, huge audiences at SIDP, MusicalFare, and Shawfest say "Not here!"For 30 years (as of November 2022) Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.